Chapter 41: Clearing My Father's Name

Since Lu Xuanheng was injured, he had not inspected the refugee camp for several days. Upon hearing about the incident, he immediately set out and spurred his horse toward the western part of the city.

When he arrived, the gate area was chaotic, bearing signs of a recent scuffle. The city gate soldiers had rounded up a crowd of refugees.

The gate commander approached to report to Lu Xuanheng: “General Lu, these refugees were all quietly staying in the camp outside the city, but today they suddenly caused a disturbance and stormed into the city, attempting to loot the government granary! There were simply too many of them, flooding in all at once, almost causing a serious incident.”

Lu Xuanheng furrowed his brow tightly. “What about the situation at the granary?”

“After all, they are just unarmed commoners and posed no real threat. They were suppressed before reaching the granary. However, it’s certain that many refugees slipped into the city; it’s impossible to investigate them all at once.”

Lu Xuanheng’s cold gaze swept over the huddled, dusty refugees sitting on the ground, a strange feeling stirring in his heart.

In recent days, they had been distributing porridge and grain, pacifying these people. How could such a sudden riot break out?

There had to be someone inciting them. Otherwise, how could these ordinary northern commoners come up with the unrealistic idea of robbing the government granary? How would they even know where it was within the capital?

While pondering this, his eyes caught a man clutching a piece of paper. He pointed at the man, and Xiuzhu immediately stepped forward, swiftly snatching the paper away.

Lu Xuanheng unfolded it and his expression shifted slightly. The paper contained seditious words—accusations that the government granaries were full yet deliberately withheld food, hoping the people would starve to death, and that it would be better to seize the granary by force.

So indeed, someone was deliberately stirring up trouble.

Xiuzhu searched further and found the same piece of paper on many others.

Lu Xuanheng asked coldly, “Who gave you this?”

They were simple folk, unable to keep secrets. After some questioning, they all said a few people had distributed these papers the night before.

Lu Xuanheng’s brow tightened. What was the purpose of those behind the scenes inciting these refugees? They failed to rob the granary…

At that moment, the gate commander approached again. “General, during the disturbance, a merchant caravan entered the capital with a batch of goods. Amid the chaos, the gate guards missed inspecting them.”

Lu Xuanheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

It seemed the incitement to loot the granary was a mere distraction. The real objective was to have this group slip into the capital under cover of confusion. That cargo must be extraordinary.

This was a grave matter that needed urgent investigation.

“Xiuzhu, come with me to the Jingzhao Prefecture.”

Xiuzhu nodded.

As Lu Xuanheng prepared to mount his horse, a voice called out to him.

“Xuanheng, leave this matter to me.”

Lu Xuanheng looked up. A carriage was parked before him, and a young man stepped down—it was Li Zhengfu, Crown Prince Xianwang’s eldest son and the elder brother of Li Lianzhu.

Lu Xuanheng bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“We’re practically family soon; no need for such formality,” Li Zhengfu said, steadying Lu Xuanheng’s arm. “I heard you were injured recently. How are you now?”

“I’m fine now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But why have you come here?”

Li Zhengfu smiled. “There was an incident in the western city, so I petitioned the emperor to investigate.”

Lu Xuanheng appraised the well-groomed prince with a calm tone. “The refugee camp in the west falls under my responsibility. Now that trouble has arisen, it naturally should be handled by me. I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness.”

“Are you still injured? You should rest,” Li Zhengfu patted his shoulder. “I’m here now. Don’t you trust me?”

Lu Xuanheng’s lips twitched faintly. “Of course not.”

“Go rest and recover well. If you overexert yourself again, Lianzhu will be worried.”

Lu Xuanheng glanced at the refugees before him and left without another word.

Xiuzhu was surprised. “The western refugee camp was originally the young master’s responsibility. Now the prince suddenly intervenes—is he trying to claim credit?”

“That’s unlikely.”

“Then should we continue the investigation?”

“The person behind this caused such chaos just to smuggle a batch of goods into the capital. That cargo is definitely no ordinary matter. There may be larger schemes involved. As for Li Zhengfu… he doesn’t seem reliable. We can’t just let this go.”

Lu Xuanheng looked at the papers filled with seditious words in his hand. “Let’s start with this and find out who spread these rumors.”

...

The last time Jiang You’an met Su Mingxiu, she had confessed her desire to clear her father’s name. Su Mingxiu promised to help—not just with words but with earnest effort—and soon invited her to discuss the matter.

Jiang You’an had not expected Su Mingxiu to be so dedicated and felt deeply grateful.

At the lakeside pavilion, she eagerly sought him out again.

“Have you found anything?”

Su Mingxiu was not in his wheelchair today. Seeing her arrive, he first pulled her to sit and poured her a cup of tea.

Jiang You’an drank it eagerly, eyes full of expectation.

“I’ve heard about your father’s case. After I returned, I had people inquire discreetly, but unfortunately, the case was closed swiftly, and all related information was sealed tight.”

Jiang You’an’s expression grew solemn. “That means someone deliberately suppressed the matter.”

“Exactly. What I found were only vague hints, not very useful.” Su Mingxiu’s face showed regret. “We could try requesting the case files from the Ministry of Justice. There might be clues.”

Jiang You’an thought for a moment and shook her head. “No. Since those behind it could frame my father, they must be powerful and far-reaching. They operate in the shadows while we’re out in the open. If we openly request the files, we might alert them, making everything more difficult.”

Su Mingxiu nodded. “You’re right. But the information we have now is too limited. Can you recall more details from back then?”

“My father served as Minister of War and was known for his integrity and good reputation. That year, when northern enemies invaded, he was stationed at Chibei Pass. The battle had stabilized, and he was returning to the capital with military reports. But as soon as he left, the enemy launched a sudden attack, nearly losing the pass and causing heavy casualties. The emperor immediately ordered an investigation and discovered the enemy had our defensive plans—but only my father possessed those plans.”

Su Mingxiu frowned slightly. “If that was used to convict your father, it would indeed be hard for him to explain.”

Jiang You’an remained silent. “But my father wasn’t a scheming villain. He wouldn’t do such a thing. Moreover, losing the battle and the border brought him no benefit at all.”

“Then consider who benefits from this. Perhaps a personal grudge, someone trying to usurp Minister Jiang’s position, or someone wanting to silence him because he knew a secret.”